UPDATE: Escaped inmate arrested in Hephzibah

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW) -- An escaped inmate is now back in custody. Richmond County deputies captured 22-year-old Rashad Jackson in Hephzibah after he escaped early Wednesday morning from the Augusta Transitional Center.

Jackson isn't the first inmate to escape from the facility.

Since 2011, News 12 found records of at least 10 inmates who have escaped from the transitional center. ATC is a halfway house that lets inmates work and gain life skills before being released back into society. Some say this facility is known for letting inmates slip through the cracks.

One current inmate says escapes happen all the time.

"A couple of months ago, Paul Anderson escaped. I'm not really sure what happened with that situation. He left and just never came back. He was out on a job search and never came back."

We did some research and found Anderson escaped back in May and still hasn't been captured.

The inmate said, "When they get out, they get comfortable thinking they're free, and they get back into old habits and old lifestyles."

First-time offenders, even violent first-time offenders, are eligible to go to the transitional center. Jackson was one of those violent offenders. He was convicted in 2009 on a number of charges, including attempted armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm. Two additional charges were later tacked on, including threatening to kill a witness, as well as making terroristic threats.

Our inmate on the inside says it just doesn't make sense to escape when you're so close to the finish line, but it happens.

"I've made it too far to turn around now, I don't want to be stuck in this situation again."

Jackson has been taken to the Georgia Diagnostic Prison. He'll be held there until state officials decide what disciplinary action they will take against him for escaping.

Update:

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW) -- A man wanted for escaping from the Augusta Transitional Center early Wednesday morning has been taken into custody.

Deputies say 22-year-old Rashad Akil Jackson was recaptured without incident at 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Hephzibah McBean and Henderson roads in Hephzibah.

Jackson was transported to the Georgia Diagnostic Prison, where they will decide what disciplinary action will be taken against him for escaping.

Initial report:

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW) -- The Richmond County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man they say escaped from the Augusta Transitional Center early Wednesday morning.

Rashad Akil Jackson, 22, was last seen walking east on 6th Street in downtown Augusta.

Jackson is considered to be dangerous. He is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes who is 5'10" and 175 pounds.

His last known address was 5255 Henderson Road in Hephzibah, Ga.

Jackson faced charges of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime and other weapons charges.

If you have any information, call the Sheriff's Office at (706) 821-1080.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.